Octopus farming is ‘unethical and a threat to the food chain’

[editor]

If they're so bleedin' clever how come they can only count to 8 when I can count to 10, (20 if I use my toes an'all)?

Let's see how you fare in a 'squeeze through a small hole' competition.

 

[editor]

Octopi are k3w1

First, different individuals have different temperaments. Some are shy, some are bold; some are inquisitive, some aggressive. Because of this individuality, people who hang out with them, whether in the sea, at a public aquarium, or in the laboratory, tend to give them names—an honor normally reserved for mammals such as dolphins and chimpanzees. Cousteau spoke of an octopus called Octopissimus; one scientific paper I read referred to Albert, Bertram, and Charles.

Second, some octopuses will engage with you. They might reach out an arm and touch your hand. They will investigate an object you present to them, giving every impression of thinking about it as they do so. All the while, they will appear to watch you with their large, mobile eyes. Again, these are behaviors we associate with dolphins and dogs—but not with, say, fish, let alone animals such as sea urchins or clams.

Third, octopuses often behave in surprising ways. Although Albert and Bertram were prepared to pull levers to receive pieces of fish, Charles destroyed the experimental equipment—he pulled it apart with his arms—and repeatedly squirted the experimenter with water. On a recent diving trip, my partner and I came across a little octopus sitting in the sand, two of its arms holding a large half clamshell over its head like a roof. For a while, we looked at it, and it looked at us. Then it shifted. It must have been reaching down with its other arms, because suddenly, like a small animated bulldozer, it tossed up a heap of sand. It did this several times, watching us closely and giving us the sense that, though it was interested in checking us out, it was also ready, if necessary, to pull the shell down like a lid and disappear into the seafloor.

How Smart Is an Octopus?

 

[8ball]

If they're so bleedin' clever how come they can only count to 8 when I can count to 10, (20 if I use my toes an'all)?

If you don't know the answer to that question, you may soon find yourself outwitted by an octopus.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Let's see how you fare in a 'squeeze through a small hole' competition.

No need to resort to body-shaming, editor

 

[8ball]

This is beautiful

That is absolutely incredible.

 

[Yossarian]

On Ecstasy, Octopuses Reached Out for a Hug

when the octopuses came down from their serotonin highs, they acted completely normal — for an octopus.

 

[Yuwipi Woman]

Let's see how you fare in a 'squeeze through a small hole' competition.

I'd pay good money to see that.

 

[JuanTwoThree]

I can't even squeeze through a medium hole. We stayed at a hotel whose shower I couldn't get into at all. An octopus would have beaten me easily.

And I'm shit at opening jars.

 

[sim667]

There's a scene in the brilliant film Old Boy where the lead character eats live food.

I skip that scene every time; much too cruel IMO.

However, for those of you with no moral compass, here it is...

Spoiler: Old Boy live-eating scene

The actor is vegan.....

 

[8ball]

And I'm shit at opening jars.

I just read that some of them can open child-proof jar and bottle lids.

How something can work that out when it can't read the instructions and really shouldn't even know it is an openable container is just messing with my head.

Actually, on pondering it, maybe they have to squeeze the whole thing in order to get the grip and torsion required...

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I can't even squeeze through a medium hole. We stayed at a hotel whose shower I couldn't get into at all. An octopus would have beaten me easily.

And I'm shit at opening jars.

How do you get on predicting world cup winners?

 

[Pickman's model]

How do you get on predicting world cup winners?

bookies welcome him with open arms

 

[JuanTwoThree]

How do you get on predicting world cup winners?

bookies welcome him with open arms

Any octopus could do it better. Catford Dogs was the only venue where I ever won anything.

 

[Jennastan]

We'll all end up with an octopus attached to our face like in Alien, and it will serve us right.

not sure those face hugger things were octopi tbh

 

[Orang Utan]

Still not clear on why an animal's intelligence makes it less eatable.

 

[Pickman's model]

Still not clear on why an animal's intelligence makes it less eatable.

because it is foolish to eat things which are clever enough that sooner or later they may be in a position to wreak a horrific revenge

 

[editor]

Still not clear on why an animal's intelligence makes it less eatable.

Some people can feel a natural empathy towards a highly intelligent creature that may well feel similar emotions and a zest for life as you. But not you, obvs.

 

[8ball]

not sure those face hugger things were octopi tbh

They were kind of akin to something arachnid, though the original Giger drawings had them taking a form more similar to octopodae.

 

[8ball]

Some people can feel a natural empathy towards a highly intelligent creature that may well feel similar emotions and a zest for life as you. But not you, obvs.

I think OU has a point, especially if you're following a Peter Singer-esque train of thought.

 

[Jennastan]

Some people can feel a natural empathy towards a highly intelligent creature that may well feel similar emotions and a zest for life as you. But not you, obvs.

most people struggle having empathy with other humans so not sure how that plays out with octopi

 

[editor]

most people struggle having empathy with other humans so not sure how that plays out with octopi

I manage it fine. I've got no intention of shoving one in my gob.

Mind you it is amusing when full-on meat eaters get all squeamish about certain body parts of the animal they eat.

 

[Jennastan]

I manage it fine. I've got no intention of shoving one in my gob.

Mind you it is amusing when full-on meat eaters get all squeamish about certain body parts of the animal they eat.

you don't really need to feel empathy for an animal to not eat it though, do you?

 

[8ball]

Mind you it is amusing when full-on meat eaters get all squeamish about certain body parts of the animal they eat.

Aren't you meant to be viewing this as a "witnessing moment"?

 

[8ball]

you don't really need to feel empathy for an animal to not eat it though, do you?

Or a human.

 

[editor]

you don't really need to feel empathy for an animal to not eat it though, do you?

Did I say that?

 

[Orang Utan]

Some people can feel a natural empathy towards a highly intelligent creature that may well feel similar emotions and a zest for life as you. But not you, obvs.

Is it possible to have an intelligent discussion about such an issue without being personal?

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Any octopus could do it better. Catford Dogs was the only venue where I ever won anything.

Only six traps, silly octopus would bet on dog 7 or 8 every now and again...

 

[editor]

Is it possible to have an intelligent discussion about such an issue without being personal?

Isn't empathy a personal issue/response?

 

[Jennastan]

Did I say that?

no - but the answer to my initial question seemed to imply that. Otherwise why did you answer the way you did?

 

[Jennastan]

Or a human.

are humans not animals?